Making despite Material Constraints with Augmented Reality-Mediated Prototyping
Date
2017-09-28
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Abstract
Makers build physical interactive objects using programmable electronics. However, makers often must stop building when material resources (e.g., electronic components) are not immediately or easily available. In this paper, we envision Augmented Reality (AR)-mediated prototyping as a way for makers to continue building physical computing projects despite a lack of electronic components. AR-mediated prototyping enables makers to build, program, interact with, and iterate
on physical computing projects that combine both real and stand-in virtual electronic components. We designed and implemented a technology probe, Polymorphic Cube (PMC), as an instantiation of our vision. We introduced PMC to twelve makers and asked them to build four simple lamp prototypes despite missing I/O components (push button, LED, light sensor, servo). Our results show that PMC helped participants prototype despite missing components, and highlighted how AR-mediated prototyping extends to exploring project ideas,
tinkering with implementation, and making with others.
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Keywords
Material Constraints, Making, Physical Computing, Prototyping